Potatoes are a staple crop in Kansas and can be planted as soon as the soil temperature reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit at a depth of 4 inches. Generally, this occurs around mid-March to April. However, checking your local planting zone for exact dates is vital to ensure the best results. This article will look at when to plant potatoes in Kansas.
When to plant potatoes in Kansas?
Planting potatoes earlier than mid-March can be risky because the soil is still cold, which can cause the potatoes to rot in the ground. However, planting early has its advantages. Early planting will give your potatoes a greater chance of growing and maturing before hot summer temperatures set in.
Many gardeners recommend planting potatoes on St Patrick’s day in Kansas City. Potatoes can be planted in surrounding areas within a week of the celebrations.
To further ensure success, it’s essential to consider the weather forecast when planting potatoes in Kansas. If there is an upcoming cold or wet period, you may want to wait a few days until the weather warms up and dries out. Waiting for ideal conditions will help protect your crop from damage caused by extreme temperatures and moisture levels.
Other things to consider before planting
It’s also important to consider soil nutrition when growing potatoes in Kansas. Potatoes need well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0 to thrive. If your soil lacks nutrients or the pH is too high or low, you may want to consider applying fertilizer or lime before planting potatoes.
It’s always a good idea to check your area’s last and first frost dates when planning any crop. Potatoes should be planted after the last frost date. For a late harvest, you’ll need to check that your crop will have time to grow to maturity before the first frost.
Potatoes typically take about 80 to 120 days to mature, depending on the variety. Planting late may mean your crop will not have enough time to fully mature before cold weather sets in. This means you can plant potatoes in July for a fall harvest.
Tips for planting potatoes
Potatoes are grown from seed potatoes left to sprout for a couple of weeks before planting. When selecting the seeds, ensure that they are firm and healthy looking. You can set your seed potatoes in rows on a tray and keep them indoors until they start to grow shoots. This can be done at the beginning of March so that they are ready to plant around St Patrick’s day.
When it’s time to plant your potatoes, dig rows that are three feet apart and plant the potato seeds 12 inches apart and 2 to 4 inches deep. It’s generally recommended that you plant your fall crop slightly deeper than the spring crop.
Conclusion
When it comes to planting potatoes in Kansas, timing is key. Planting too early or late can be risky, as can planting in soil with poor nutrition. Be sure to consider the weather and soil conditions before you plant, and give your crop enough time to mature. With the right timing and care, you can enjoy a bountiful potato harvest in Kansas!